GEF EARTHRANGER PROJECT MANAGER

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a global challenge. Due to the fluidity of the situation, we periodically reassess our plans to reopen our offices. For the safety of our employees, our approach is tailored to the situation in each of the 30 countries we operate in. Travel is only conducted when absolutely necessary and safe to do so. Hiring managers will provide guidance on remote, hybrid, or on-site work arrangements in accordance with country-specific safety policies.

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY

Conservation International (CI) is a global not-for-profit environmental organization established in 1987 and headquartered in Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia. CI focuses on science, policy, and partnerships with businesses, governments, and communities with the objective of protecting nature for people. The Allen Institute (AI2) is a not-for-profit bioscience research institute established in 2003 and located in Seattle, Washington. EarthRanger is a product of AI2. EarthRanger is a software solution that aids protected areas managers, ecologists, and wildlife biologists in making informed operational decisions for wildlife conservation.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) recently approved a US$7,208,760 million project to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of protected area managers in Botswana, Mozambique, and the Republic of Congo, through the deployment of EarthRanger. The project includes US$2,407,360 million grant funding from the GEF and USD$4,801,400 million co-financing from partners. This will be a joint project between Conservation International (Africa Field Division) and The Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI2).

The Program Manager will be based in the CI-Africa Field Division office in Nairobi, Kenya. They will be responsible for the project planning, implementation, tracking, and reporting on deliverables and project status for the initial two years of fixed-term contract of project cycle. They will be responsible for the day-to-day project management, Monitoring and Evaluation, execution of the project activities per the approved work plan and budget, Management and reporting of consultant and grantee activities, support finance and operational tasks such as procurement, grants management, financial audits, maintenance of records of all the project-related documentation and undertake project administrative tasks. The Project Manager will work to ensure project results meet project standards and project deliverables are completed on time and within budget.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop work plans for each project site and manage the implementation of all project activities including coordinating the implementation of project activities that will be implemented by executing partners.
• Facilitate the day-to-day operating of the project according to approved work plans and recommendations of AI2, Project Lead, and National PSCs.
• Support the Grants/ Finance officer to ensure financial compliance per the GEF and CI-GEF policies and guidelines.
• Lead the preparation and execution of annual work plans and budgets, quarterly technical and financial reports, procurement plans, and other relevant documents for project management.
• Monitor materialization and reporting of co-financing.
• Lead the organization of National Project Steering Committee meetings and provide regular updates on project progress to AI2, PSC, Project Management Unit (PMU), and CIGEF.
• Ensure effective coordination between all project executing partners including ensuring the EarthRanger project coordinates and shares knowledge with relevant stakeholders for effective management of protected areas.
• Identify potential risks to project activities and put in place mitigation measures
• Ensure that project technical outputs and outcomes are achieved.
• Support AI2 and Project Lead to identify capacity development needs of executing partners and arrange for necessary training.
• Monitor and evaluate all project activities.
• Support the Safeguards Compliance officer as needed and ensure that environmental and social safeguards are set up, implemented, monitored, and adhered to. Review all Safeguards reporting.
• Ensure regular and effective communication between the PMU, Country counterpart staff, protected area authorities, PSC, AI2, GEF, and CI.
• Produce communications material and updates for CI and AI2.
• Review deliverables of grantees, consultants, and/or contractors.
• Review the deliverables of partner institutions and grantees, and consultants, including financial reports.
• Responsible for managing some public or private funds, monitoring results, and recommending follow-up action. Reviews for understanding and compliance with donor agreements.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Willingness to work flexibly from the CI Nairobi office and/or from home.
• Periodic travel to the project site and other office locations.
• Comfortable working out of doors for extended periods.
• Ability and willingness to work outside the normal work schedule to meet project deadlines.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree or relevant combination of education and experience, and 4 to 6 years of related work experience in project management, including planning and budgeting
• Strong organization and time management skills.
• Ability to detect problems and identify solutions.
• Team player and able to work effectively with diverse workgroups in a multicultural environment.
• Solid written and verbal communication skills. Proficient in written and spoken English.
• Ability to work well under pressure, multitask, set priorities, and deliver quality results.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and under general supervision.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Prior GEF or equivalent project management experience with references.

Preferred

• Understanding the economic and environmental issues facing developing countries and the local communities strongly preferred.
• Proficient in French and/or Portuguese.